News Roundup 08 June 2023
Jun 08, 2023 • 5 min Read
Leila de Lima drug case: Muntinlupa court ordered to expedite trial | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines–The Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD) has ordered the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 to decide the illegal drugs case against former senator Leila de Lima within nine months as it has been pending for six years.
De Lima has been accused of conspiring with inmates from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in the illegal drug trade operation of which proceeds could fund her senatorial bid in 2016.
Her co-accused include former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Jesus Bucayu, Bucayu’s former staff, Wilfredo Elli, inmate Jaybee Sebastian, Ronnie Dayan, de Lima’s former security aide, Joenel Sanchez; and Jad Dera.
Originally, three illegal drug trading cases were filed against the former senator. She was already acquitted in the two other cases.
In this case, they are already on the stage of presentation of evidence by the prosecution, of which a hearing is set on June 19.
But with the April 28 memorandum from Court Administrator Raul Villanueva, the court is directed to prioritize and decide the case within nine months and to update the OCAD as soon as the case has been disposed of.
Full Story at: Leila de Lima drug case: Muntinlupa court ordered to expedite trial | Inquirer News
DPWH execs, contractor sued over ‘sinking’ flyover | INQUIRER.NET – ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — At least four officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western Visayas region and two officers of a project contractor are facing charges over the construction of a flyover that was closed to the public due to structural defects just 12 days after its full opening last year.
Councilor Plaridel Nava and former Councilor Eldrid Antiquiera filed separate complaints in the Office of the Ombudsman’s satellite office in Iloilo in relation to the construction of the Ungka flyover, which straddles Iloilo City and the neighboring town of Pavia.
“The closure of the Ungka flyover has caused enormous inconvenience to the public. Such inconvenience cannot be quantified by pecuniary estimation neither can it be reparable,” said Nava in his complaint filed on Monday.
“Worse than ever, the DPWH plans to allocate additional funding of at least P250 million for the repair of the flyover. This broad daylight robbery must be stopped and the guilty should be punished. Justice to the Ilonggo people must be served,” he added.
The Inquirer tried but failed to reach DPWH Western Visayas Director Nerie Bueno and Assistant Director Jose Al Fruto on Wednesday. An email sent to Bueno requesting a statement on the issue remained unanswered as of 4:30 p.m.
Full Story at: DPWH execs, contractor sued over ‘sinking’ flyover | Inquirer News
Israel awaits cues from Philippines’ Horizon 3 in defense assistance | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Israel said they are ready to help the Philippines to modernize its military—from the armed forces, to the navy, and the airforce—but Tel Aviv is still waiting for Manila’s priorities for the Horizon 3 part of its military modernization program.
Manila is in the process of modernizing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The project is now into Horizon 3 until 2028, which focuses on procuring defense equipment such as missile systems, submarines, and multi-role fighters.
“Everybody is waiting for the Horizon 3, which I think would give a better indication on the direction for the future so it’s difficult to say,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss told reporters on Thursday as he reflected on the successful two-day visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu Cohen earlier this week.
Tel Aviv hopes “to see a continuation of Israeli involvement” in the modernization program, he added.
“I know the Israeli companies are offering—and I cannot go into the details—offering a lot of different kinds of technologies, which are all proven, I would say proven in combat in Israel,” Fluss said, adding that there are some agreements that are still awaiting implementation.
Full Story at: Israel awaits cues from Philippines’ Horizon 3 in defense assistance | Philstar.com
Public barbs by UniTeam leaders signal brewing showdown | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Allies of House Speaker Martin Romualdez have rushed to defend him, this time from a perceived slight from Vice President Sara Duterte, signaling what political analysts believe is a brewing political showdown between the president’s second-in-command and his cousin.
Ranking House members on Wednesday released mostly cryptic statements praising Romualdez for taking the “moral high road” following Duterte’s wisecrack during a speech last Monday where she quipped that she refuses to mention the President’s middle name, Romualdez.
“I will not mention his middle initial…I love Apo BBM,” Duterte said in Filipino at an Office of the Vice President event. Apo is an Ilocano honorific for senior men.
This revives the political rift that came to light when Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — former president and an elder at the ruling Lakas-CMD party — was demoted from her post as senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker last month after allegations that she was planning to oust Romualdez as speaker.
After major parties rushed to voice support and loyalty to Romualdez, Arroyo denied the rumors and issued a statement clarifying her support for the current speaker. Duterte left Lakas-CMD and hinted at powerplay and “political toxicity.”
Days after, Romualdez appeared to pay respects to Arroyo during the House plenary session by “pagmamano” or placing the former Philippine leader’s hand on his forehead. He posed for photos with her after.
Neither Romualdez nor his allies have clarified who exactly was behind the alleged plans to unseat him.
Full Story at: Public barbs by UniTeam leaders signal brewing showdown | Philstar.com
